I am thinking of flying to Las Vegas, renting a tour bike and take my wife on a cross-country roadtrip through the southern Utah, northern Arizona and Nevada region. I don't want it to be too hot or cold for her comfort. What would be the best time of the year to consider taking such a road trip?
2007-03-28 03:28:39 · 14 answers · asked by Bill G 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Hi,
It's tough to give a quick answer to this question. Like most of the other responders, I vote for May/June or September/October.
Because of the different elevations in the Southwest, it can be balmy mid 70 degree weather in one spot and over 100 a couple of hundred miles away. A perfect example of this is that in the summer time, Flagstaff at 7,000 feet can be about 80 degrees while 150 miles away, down at 1,100 feet in Phoenix it's well over 100 degrees.
The opposite is true in the early Spring and late Fall. There can be snow in Flagstaff and warm comfort down in Phoenix.
The main point here is that you need to be ready for anything that Mother Nature throws at you.
If you are limited to when you can go and it is going to be hot, if you don't already have them get yourself some mesh riding jackets of some kind. It will allow you to ride through some pretty hot stuff in acceptable comfort.
The number one thing is to get a "Hydration System". The most popular is a "Camelbak" however, there are other brands that are just as good. What it is, is a backpack water bag that you can sip out of while riding. It will allow you to drink while you are going down the road and will make the whole desert experience safer and more comfortable.
Whatever you do, don't strip down to the waist and go shirtless. You will dehydrate so fast that you won't be able to drink water fast enough to make up for it. The best way to clothe yourself is to cover up loosely and let air flow through the sleeves and around the body. This allows for slow evaporation and that is how you keep cool and hydrated.
I have ridden through the Southwest in the heat of August using this method and it is about as good as it gets.
Have fun and good luck!
Jim
2007-03-28 12:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Right now would be just about your best time to go. Regardless of what others might say, DO NOT wait until the Summer months to go on this ride. I made the mistake of taking a road trip last Summer, with a bunch of other guys I usually ride with... by the time we had made it halfway through Texas, we were all so hot & tired that we couldn't finish the ride. We actually had to stop at a hotel, and resume our trip at night. We ended up like this through many of the southern states, as it was close to 110 degrees each day. If you can get out to Vegas before the end of May, you'll be almost guaranteed to have a great ride... but even now, it's going to be fairly warm.
Either way, have a great trip!
2007-03-28 03:50:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The force up highway a million between Morro Bay to Carmel is a would desire to, seek for Pfeiffer State sea coast purely south of the city of huge Sur. that is not any longer properly marked and additionally you may would desire to ask and double lower back. the line into the sea coast is a slender windy street by way of an exquisite wooded area. The rock formations at this sea coast are stunning, and the sea coast has by no capacity been crowded. i could determine to hit Yosemite Natl Park besides. Lake Tahoe is marvelous too. given which you're fortunate to have lots time, i could additionally propose employing by way of all the national Parks in Utah. Zion and Bryce Canyon are the two very ideal and the interior roads to the east grant great vistas, and a few previous shaped little cities. in case you examine for all the parks and paintings your way east to Moab, you may get to work out some especially magnificent issues. there are such countless different places- Mount Rushmore, loopy Horse and devil's Tower in the South Dakota area are worth seeing. And Yellowstone is a would desire to work out too. Have a marvelous trip!
2016-12-08 13:04:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow...does that sound like alot of fun! As far as Northern AZ I would say anytime between May and September. It doesn't get too hot up there even in summer. My brother lives in southern Utah...Cedar City. The time frame there is pretty much the same, but it's a road trip get out there and have fun! I guess if it were me I would go in May because I just couldn't wait to get out on the road. The longest road trip I've been on since being in AZ is from Phoenix to Laughlin, NV. We went in September and the weather was great!
2007-03-28 03:40:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Now through early May or late September through mid October.
I ride Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico on a regular basis.
If you're in the area at the end of April you may want to check out 'The Laughlin River Run', it's a pretty good size rally right on the Colorado river.
2007-03-28 03:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Definitely spring. There will be flowers out, and temps will be more moderate, maybe even cold at night.
Remember that the southwest has a "monsoon" season starting early in July, and they get most of their rain for the year during that time, so now through June would be best.
2007-03-28 05:16:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tub T (Mike Blanche) 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Now, thru June. I have homes in Vegas and Orange County, CA, ride bikes and hike... After June, it'll be too hot.
2007-03-28 09:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by Eugene S 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Late spring or early fall.
Summer = too hot
Winter = freezing, extremely windy nights
2007-03-28 06:14:55 · answer #8 · answered by bikerchickjill 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nothing like Springtime in the desert.
2007-03-28 03:34:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Spring is nice there, but less chance of rain in the fall.
Summers are brutal!
Winters are cold!
2007-03-29 03:41:26 · answer #10 · answered by thomy8s 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋